Juror Compensation in America

Juror per diem pay for jury duty... state-by-state

During the past 20 years we've seen some increases in the amount jurors
are paid plus some innovative ideas … most notably the "Lengthy Trial Fund"
(pays up to $200/day) as adopted by Arizona and Oklahoma. As another innovation,
New Mexico now pays jurors the federal minimum hourly rate which - for an eight
hour day - would amount to the highest daily rate in the nation.

However, a couple dozens states - citing 'patriotic responsibility",
etc., etc. - still pay jurors peanuts while at the same time have no
qualms about paying judges and prosecutors fat salaries. Jurors an
integral part of the justice system - just as indispensible as any
member of the court - and should not be treated as if they were
shoeshine boys of the 1920s (to toss a dime to).

While the intention here was to refer only to statutes, often they could not be
found on some government websites in which case our links go to their FAQ page
(if any) or ‘juror handbook’ page (if any). According then, for those which
provided juror information, all the per diem rates listed below
are believed current as of January 1st, 2015
and the hyperlinks refer only to official documentation.

Note… locating information about jury duty on these government
websites was often difficult and, in a few cases, no information could be found
at all. It would seem, therefore, some states are demonstrating
their belief the jury system is not an integral part of government. Yet,
juries are indicative of justice and justice is indicative of good government.

On government websites a link to A-Z juror information
should be front and center.

"I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet
imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its
constitution." Thomas Jefferson

Juror compensation as of January 1, 2015 (updated each
January)

NOTE: While these compensation rates apply to trial jurors, in most cases they
also apply to grand jurors... (click on the individual state links for any
further information). The following links go only to official
government agencies, state bar associations or legal document providers such as
LexisNexis and Westlaw.

Louisiana - government website not juror
friendly... no worthwhile information found but the following was provided
by one of our website visitors: From the 19th Judicial District, East Baton Rouge
Parish, Baton Rouge Louisiana dated July 7, 2008:
"People on jury duty for state court and people serving on state grand juries
are paid $12 a day and for their mileage to and from home." (16 cents mileage)
People selected for state petit juries get $25 a day and mileage, according to
the Jury Management Office. Federal grand jurors and petit jurors are paid $40 a
day and mileage for each day they report for service whether they serve on a
jury or not. They also are reimbursed for parking.

Oklahoma - $20/day plus mileage as set by the State Travel Reimbursement Act (plus
parking allowance)... see
Oklahoma Statutes
, select Title 28-Fees then scroll down to
§28-86-Jurors’ fees. It also includes information on their Lengthy Trial Fund
which provides up to $50/day beginning 4th day, up to $200/day after 10th day)